QTH.COM Swap Chat

I have been reading a number of the notes in here on how to avoid getting
scammed. It has made me a little nervous, but I am still trying to find a
certain product and get it safely. How can I make sure it is a good working
model etc?

I am seeking an ICOM IC-2800H. I am wanting to purchase it for my
husbands car as a surprise gift for our anniversary. I am soooo new to
ham radios that I know very little about them at this point. I have been
trying to do some studying to get my own license, but I fear that is going
to take a while (have two small children to deal with). My husband has
been a ham person since very young. We purchased an ICOM IC-2800H
when they first came out to place in our van (car I drive, but also for family
trips). I wanted to give him this same model for his car.

I found one person on this site selling one of these units, but he talks of
"modifications" and I also have not been able to find any feedback etc for
his callsign. Can anyone help me with learning how to find a good unit?

Thank you for your time,
Cassandra Scaggs

Cassandra,

Please send my wife an email and encourage her to buy me radios, too!

As with the evening news, the bad news gets the most air time. I can assure you that most amateur radio licensees are honest and good people. There are bad apples and they get all the bandwidth!

I don't know where you are, but if you're in a populous area, simply look at the radio. You can tell a lot about the book by the cover. Ask to see it operate, too. Most modifications to 2 meter radios are to allow wider transmitter coverage so that you can listen (LISTEN) to weather, business, etc. They are usually simple modifications and neither add nor detract from the value.

As a second option, ask a local ham to help you. I'm sure your hubby has a ham radio friend. His friend will go out of the way to see that his on-the-air buddy doesn't get shafted. He might even be going to a hamfest or other place and will look to find one for you.

There are lots of those on the market and they have a solid reputation. They are fairly current vintage and I would not hesitate to purchase one if I was in the market for it. Avoid "butchered" or "beat up" specimens but don't let fear dominate your actions.